Six of this season’s tournament winners, along with two from last year, will be in a strong field for the Golf Challenge at Brunstorf Golf and Country Club near Hamburg in Germany this week.

However, a notable absentee is top ranked Lee James, while a number of regular Challenge Tour players are hoping to qualify for The Open Championship at Muirfield. However, those who fail to make it will hop on the next plane to Hamburg.

The two-day Final Qualifying will have a direct bearing on the final field for Germany, those who succeed in Scotland withdrawing from The Golf Challenge to the relief of others seeking a place in the German tournament.

Among those seeking to qualify in Scotland is Belgian, Nicolas Vanhootegem, winner of the Aa St Omer Open in France last month, and Scott Kammann from the United States, who secured his first Challenge Tour success in the Open des Volcans Challenge de France.

The Golf Challenge is a new tournament on the Challenge Tour and is being played at the Brunstorf Golf and Country Club; situated 30 minutes drive east of Hamburg.

Brunstorf is a new course, opened in 1998 on former farmland and is the work of architect, Manfred Meyer. The terrain is generally flat and open but with sufficient water hazards to make the 6,817m (7,458 yd) par 72 course a compelling test.

Driving accuracy is a must, while if the wind blows the course takes on the characteristics of a links layout. Over the past winter nine new tees have been constructed along with five new greens, while other greens have been extended.

The course also has a brand new clubhouse, opened on May 7 this year. This week’s prize fund is 100,000 Euro with 16,660 going to the winner.